Dextrose prolotherapyeffectin improving thetemporomandibular joint disc displacement symptoms without reduction refractory to conservative treatment: a pilot study

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular injection of 5% Dextrose (D5W) prolotherapy in treatment symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disc Displacement without Reduction (DDwoR) with limited mouth opening (Closed-Lock) of patients'refractory to pharmacological and physical therapy. This pilot study included twenty female patients suffering from symptoms of DDwoR with limited mouth opening mentioned in the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Participants were randomly assigned into two groups; the study group patients were injected with D5W, while the control group patients were injected with 0.9% normal saline (NS). The measured variables included pain intensity on opening and closing according to the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Moreover, Unassisted Maximum Interincisal Opening (MIO) was measured with a millimeter-scaled ruler. These were measured before and four times after injection (2 weeks, 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months). The level of significance was set at α = 0.05. Gradual increase in MIO values in both groups with significant difference in the last time (p < 0.001), while values of NRS in both groups decreased with a significant difference in favor of the study group (p < 0.001), except for the last time (p = 0.065). In conclusion, D5W significantly affects relieving pain in female closed-lock patients.